Rev Val Kearney along with her husband Des were long term members of St John’s.
Val as well as being a Communion Assistant here, alongside Intercessory Leader, was also church warden at her home church in Oxfordshire. During her time in both places she felt called to explore other aspects of ministry.
Encouraged by all the clergy she was in contact with she first explored Lay Readership (not an easy option for ministry, far from it).
Whilst following this path it became clear God was calling her into a sacramental ministry and over the next few years she explored this vocation with a view to testing it at a Bishops Advisory Panel. She was recommended for training and pursued a challenging three years at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford.
Ordained Deacon in 2022 to serve her “Title”(the place where you learn your craft) in her home church Benefice, she continued with her studies. She was ordained Priest in 2023
She successfully completed her BA course and was awarded a BA from Oxford University last year. In the picture accompanying this article is Val in full graduation mode.
We congratulate her at this stage in her ministry as she sets out to explore the next phase in her ministry.